The salesclerks at the Friendship Store were all handpicked from thousands of candidates. Hearing the man’s generous words, one immediately stepped forward with enthusiasm, eager to assist.
“Comrade, this young lady has such fair skin. This blue polka-dot dress would suit her perfectly. We also have this sage-green plaid midi skirt, and this red waisted plaid dress with a Peter Pan collar — all just arrived. She may try them on over there if she likes.”
“No need to try them. Wrap all of these up. And take those solid-colored dresses over there as well,” Xiao Yunting said. His voice was calm, yet he carried such an air of authority that he looked every bit the quintessential newly wealthy gentleman of the 1990s.
The clerk, beaming, swiftly wrote out the receipts and packed the items. Once payment was settled, she guided them over to the cosmetics counter.
“These are imported perfumes — they smell wonderful! Just a tiny spritz and the scent lingers for days. They’re very popular with lovely young ladies like yourself. Would you care to choose a bottle, Comrade?”
Xiao Yunting shook his head. Fu Zhoujing had once bought a bottle like this, and the overpowering scent had nearly made him sick. He much preferred the faint, natural gardenia fragrance on the young lady beside him — soft, sweet, and utterly irresistible.
Yu Wanzhi felt the same. She saw no need for cosmetics here; her personal space-mall was fully stocked with her favorite brands, enough to last her decades. There was simply no point in spending money unnecessarily.
“I rarely wear makeup, so there’s no need for any,” she said gently.
The clerk stared at the young lady whose skin seemed to glow with its own radiance. Her tongue moved faster than her thoughts: “But then… how is your skin so perfect?” Realizing her impoliteness, she blushed and stuck out her tongue apologetically.
Yu Wanzhi smiled, unbothered, and winked playfully. “If I told you I was just born this beautiful, would you feel an urge to hit me?”
As she spoke, her smile warm and bright, Xiao Yunting noticed a soft pink flush rising on her fair ear-tips. She looked like nothing so much as a shy, adorable little white rabbit.
The clerk was utterly charmed. Good heavens, she thought — how can anyone be this lovely and enchanting?
“Very well then. If you don’t wish to buy cosmetics, let’s look at the watches. We have some excellent timepieces here — I’m certain you’ll find one you adore,” Xiao Yunting said. His eyes held a fondness he made no effort to hide, and his voice had softened to a tender murmur.
Thanking the clerk politely, the two made their way to the watch counter on the second floor.
Beneath the glass display cases, the Friendship Store carried not just common domestic brands — Shanghai and Titoni — but also rare, sought-after imports from abroad.
Xiao Yunting’s gaze settled instantly on one particular watch: its band was crafted from white gold encrusted with diamonds, and its face set with polished black onyx. It exuded an air of understated elegance and quiet luxury.
“May I see that one?”
The watch clerk smiled professionally. “You have excellent taste, Sir. This is a limited-edition Vacheron Constantin. Only three were made available nationwide — two here in Shanghai, and just one assigned to our store in Beijing. For that reason, it is priced somewhat higher: 2,300 yuan, plus 30 Foreign Exchange Certificates.”
Xiao Yunting did not mind in the slightest. Foreign Exchange Certificates were notoriously difficult to come by — but with his grandfather’s standing, such things were as nothing to him. If he asked, people would line up to exchange them on his behalf. And as for money… that was even less of a concern.
“Do you like it?” he asked Yu Wanzhi.
She did like it — very much. But in this time and place, she and Xiao Yunting had known each other barely three days. She could not possibly accept something so extravagantly expensive.
“It’s… quite nice, I suppose. But it’s far too conspicuous. Imagine — if I wore it out, anyone who saw it would immediately know I’m carrying something valuable. It’s practically an invitation to get robbed!”
Xiao Yunting didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Then wear it at home. And if you’d rather not wear it, keep it simply as a piece to treasure.” He gestured to the clerk. “Please write up the receipt.” He could not explain it, only feel it: this watch was made for her. It matched her elegance and bearing perfectly.
Yu Wanzhi quickly placed her hand over the clerk’s, stopping her. “No — please don’t! It’s far too expensive. Just buy me a simple watch that tells the time. And consider it a loan — I shall pay you back every penny once I begin earning my own money!”
She had plenty of fine watches back in her private space-mall, all of the highest quality. She had simply forgotten to bring one out.
“Take it if you like it; if not, I’ll throw it away! Write the receipt!” Xiao Yunting’s tone hardened sharply, a flash of sudden fierce possessiveness.
Yu Wanzhi jumped, startled. In that moment, his expression reminded her so vividly of the powerful, commanding figure he had been in her past life — President Xiao, seated in his grand office, calm and imposing. Whenever his subordinates failed to meet his exacting standards, this was exactly how he looked: cold as ice.
Her heart ached. Tears pricked at her eyes, threatening to spill over.
“Ah… why are you crying?” Xiao Yunting’s anger vanished instantly. He looked at her reddened eyes in a panic, utterly at a loss. He lifted his hand to brush the tears from her cheek, then hesitated, letting it fall back — unsure whether such familiarity was proper.
He had never truly insisted she accept the watch. He simply… did not wish to keep count between them. They had known each other but three days, yet he felt drawn to her with a natural, deep closeness that even he found baffling.
Yu Wanzhi frowned gently, her voice soft. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. If you truly believe it looks well on me… then let us buy it.” After all, she had already accepted a box of cash and ration coupons from him the night before. To refuse now felt foolish and overly delicate.
Xiao Yunting sighed, a hint of helplessness in the sound. He had come to realize that whenever those beautiful, expressive eyes of hers glistened with tears, he lost all composure. In that moment, he would have done absolutely anything just to see her smile again…
“I truly believe it will look exquisite on you. Money is meant to be spent — what other purpose does it serve?” He pointed to another watch on display, a domestic Shanghai brand. “We shall take that one as well. Write receipts for both.”
The clerk watched the whole scene with quiet fascination. Usually, it was the lady demanding expensive things and the gentleman reluctant to part with his money. This pair… was quite the opposite.
“Would you like to try it on?” she asked.
The man who had been so fierce only moments earlier now spoke with a voice so gentle it might have melted honey. Even the clerk found herself blinking in disbelief at the transformation.
Yu Wanzhi nodded obediently. Xiao Yunting lifted her slender wrist and fastened the watch about it. The white gold and diamond band made her fair skin appear even more luminous and soft. It was breathtaking.
“There — I told you it was perfect for you!” He smiled, satisfied.
He led her to the payment counter, opened his bag, and withdrew two envelopes. From a separate pouch he counted out the required Foreign Exchange Certificates and placed them gently upon the counter.
The Shanghai watch cost 260 yuan plus five certificates.
In an era where the average monthly wage was barely 30–40 yuan, and a common laborer might save scarcely 300 yuan in an entire year — Xiao Yunting had spent nearly 3,000 yuan on her in a single morning. Yu Wanzhi felt a deep, quiet guilt settle over her heart.